PRESS RELEASE
The Alwin Bully Foundation Inc. will be celebrating what would have been the 76th birthday of the legendary Dominican artist Alwin Bully, with a night of music and songs dubbed “Legendary Echoes: A Musical Tribute featuring songs written by Dr. Alwin Bully” on Saturday 23rd November 2024 at, the wonderful new venue, The Factory on Valley Road starting at 8 pm.
Legendary Echoes will feature a fabulous cast of singers, musicians, pannists, and other outstanding performers, in what is expected to be a major musical event. Patrons will be treated to extraordinary voices, and music from some of Dominica’s most talented and recognized musicians in the two- and one–half-hour presentation, to mark the birthday of this celebrated Dominican cultural icon who is no longer with us.
The one-night event will feature the amazing talent of singers and singing groups including the children’s choir from the Christian Union Primary School and the sensational voices of Marie Pascale Afana and Ricardo Cognet from the Sisserou Singers, Maxine Alleyne-Esprit, Barbara Bully-Thomas, Black Diamond, Carleen XP, Janae Jackson, Shalina, Tasha P, The Webb and the golden voice of Michelle Henderson. The show will highlight the vocal prowess of these leading voices from Dominica who will showcase their diverse range and skillsets.
The cast will be performing several well-known tracks penned by Alwin Bully over his long illustrious career, for stage performances, calypso competitions, and other musical presentations written for special events in Dominica and across the region. These include folk classics like Dominica Waitukubuli (Dominica’s presentation at FESTAG in Guadeloupe in 1977); Sweet Dominica (Pio Pio); I love you like a Sugar Plum (Belle Fanto, a play written by Eric Roach, adapted into a musical by Alwin); Gardez en Haut (Pio Pio); Mama Pas Pleuwe (also from Waitukubuli); Gloria, The Magnificat, and Christmas Morning from Folk Nativity (the Christmas Musical written by Alwin in 1977 – with Lyrics by Alwin and music by Alwin Bully and Einstar Leblanc); Calypsos written for Merlin St. Hillaire – The Wizard, including Whine Gina and One Nation; and Social commentary and theme songs from various plays including the theme songs from The Ruler, The Nite Box, Belle Fanto, Moon on the Rainbow Shawl, One of Our Sons is Missing, and from Oseyi and the Masqueraders.
The event is being produced by a team from the Alwin Bully Foundation. The Executive Producer of the event is none other than Alwin’s wife of 46 years, Mrs. Anita Bully. The band and musical production will be led by Cornel Phillip and will feature Julie Martin, Fred Nicholas, Jerry Moulon, Mikael Ferrol, Keleb Rodney, and Vernandra Christian. Special musical accompaniment for some of the songs will also be provided by some members of our top local pan ensemble, Pan in Harmony.
Legendary Echoes is part of the Alwin Bully Foundation’s continuing effort to keep the legacy of the late Alwin Bully alive, to celebrate the outstanding works of this extraordinary Dominican artist and cultural icon, and to raise funds for scholarships in the Arts.
Patrons and supporters of the arts can purchase their tickets for the November 23rd show at leading box offices in Roseau for a limited early bird price offer of $75. The price of these tickets then moves to $90 in advance and $100 at the gate, while limited VIP tickets will be available for $150.00. All proceeds from the show will go towards the Foundation’s efforts at providing support for the training of the next generation of Dominican creatives.